“I was surprised at your sudden departure, great need must have driven you, perhaps?”' asked Estarfin, carefully gauging Parnard’s response.
The wood-elf nodded. “My brother Culufinnel was urging me. He never relents. I am sorry I did not say anything! I did not even tell Sogadan that I was leaving.”
Estarfin said nothing.
“But you know, Estarfin friend,” said Parnard, “I also considered this - if I were to go to the Greenwood, and sit before Brasseniel's father, Captain Brethenel of the King's Guard, how would it look to have an envoy of fierce-looking flame-eyed Noldor staring at him? My people are very suspicious, you must realize that by now. Do you think he would like it? Well, I asked myself that and I was not sure. Should I have risked it?” Parnard paused, and added, “That is why I left with my brother.”
“You left without word because you did not wish to be seen with Noldor?”
“No, Estarfin!” said Parnard. “'I - well. I - uh, I - I did not know what to say, so many wished to go with me, and to tell them all 'no' - especially you, Estarfin friend.” He made an apologetic bow, not able to meet the warrior’s eye. “It was wrong of me. But my brother is so impatient, and it was - difficult to resist.”
Parnard did not tell Estarfin all that had happened, because the truth of it is he could not really explain it. It seemed to him that he was spirited out of the valley as if by magic. One day, he was there in Rivendell having an early dinner, and then the next moment he awoke feeling very refreshed, but ravenously hungry and thirsty leagues away on the eastern side of the mountains. He asked Culufinnel about it while they traveled together, and he would only say that Parnard decided to leave Imladris at once, after drinking more wine than he could handle. This surprising and strange occurrence made Parnard suspect that his brother did him a mischief.
He would stare at his brother with dark accusing eyes when Culufinnel teased him and laughed at this most ridiculous and remarkable example of intemperance, using it to moralize at Parnard, even though Culufinnel well knew his brother was heartily crestfallen and ashamed to have left without saying farewell to his friends. Culufinnel sought to wound his heart, and have Parnard’s name scorned in the Valley: just revenge for what Parnard did to him at Thangúlhad Fortress. Now Culufinnel considered Parnard’s debt to him paid in full and his rashly spoken vow kept. Parnard, on the other hand, swore a new revenge.
Estarfin looked up at the darkening sky. “'I am glad that I did not have to inconvenience you with my presence,” he said. “The hour is late, and there is no sport here.” He looked back at the twinkling lights of Celondim.
'Inconvenience!' said Parnard. “'It was no inconvenience. I wanted you to come, but it was not possible. I made the best decision I thought at the time. It was - a hard time."
“I see,” said Estarfin. “'You asked me to travel with you to that dark and dingy forest, and against my better judgment I agreed.”
Dingy forest? Against better judgment? Parnard bristled. “It sounds as if I was the one that did you a favor: you should be thanking me!”
“'Even now, you offer insult?” Estarfin asked, and moved forward silently.
“'No, no insult,” said Parnard, stepping back a pace as the warrior advanced. “'You are taking insult where none was meant! All I can do is apologize, but you will not have it. You cast aspersions upon my homeland, and tell me you did not even want to go there in the first place.”
“'Why would I choose to visit that place a second time? Once was enough. I thought to accompany you for fellowship. Now I see that thought was misplaced,” said Estarfin.
Parnard frowned and his face darkened. His promise to Danel forgotten, kindness gave way to an angry tide of bitterness and frustration that overwhelmed his reason. “Oh, what good is it talking to a meathead!” he cried. “You and your stubborn pride.”
“You insult me again? There will not be a third time.”
“Here comes Estarfin, swinging his fists when the milk is spilt! Is that all you know how to do?”
“If you would both stand down and consider,” said Danel in a quiet voice. “All this is over a misunderstanding. Words are being spoken that are unjust.”
Estarfin took a deep breath to calm himself, then looked at Parnard sadly before turning and walking away.
“Run away!” Parnard shouted, nonsensically, and threw himself down on the ground in despair.
“I know he can be difficult...but - oh Parnard...I do not know how to repair this harm,” murmured Danel.
Parnard did not know how, either.
